

T^AND BAY: 



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BY EDWARD F. HCIGHES. 



POETLAND BAY : 

PKINTED AND PUBLISHED AT THE 

"CHEONICLE" OFFICE. 



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1864. 



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PORTLAND BAY: 



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BY EDWARD F. HUGHES. 



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POETLAND BAY : 

PEINTED AND PUBLISHED AT THE 

"CHEONICLE" OPPICE, 

1864. 



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DEDICATION. 



TO THOSE GENTLEMEN 

Whose Names are mentioned Herein, 

Together with 

ALL THE EABLY SETTLEES 

And the 

RESIDENTS GENEEALLY OF POETLAND 

AND THE POETLAND BAY DISTEICT, 

Is respectfully inscribed by 
THE AUTHOR 



PORTLAND BAY. 



Each has lais talent ; and each talent brings 
Eesponsibility ; for diflPrent things 
Our difif rent gifts are needed ; still the aim, 
Whatever means we take, should be the same, 
To guard, refine, exalt the social state. 
Our race to bless, our country elevate. 
Some fit employment find in deeds of arms. 
And others in the senate ; I the charms. 
Unproved, but not contemned, of both forego. 
And use my pen, well tried, and trusty too. 

Upon the confines of a spacious bay, 
The shore inclined to catch the morning ray. 
Stands Portland ; and Australia's far-stretched coast 
No seaport town of fairer site can boast, 
By nature for Australia Felix made 
The channel of her intercourse and trade. 



6 PORTLAND BAY. 

Time was when to the coast the forest came, 

And black men ruled with undisputed claim, 

Save when with neigh b'ring tribes some feud prevailed 

For lubra stolen or a chief assailed. 

The Hentys first, as whalers, hither came, 

Op'ning their way to riches and a name. 

As squatters next their fortune they essay. 

And flocks and herds the hills and valleys stray. 

By their success encouraged, many more 

With sheep and '<?attle seek th' inviting shore ; 

The Eobertsons, the \Yinters, and McKae, 

With other well-known names, their ranks display, 

And soon o'er Wannon valley, Wando vale, 

And banks of the Glenelg white men prevail. 

The blacks, the dingo, and the kangaroo, 

At length grow shy, then disappear from view. 

Townships are formed, but none that can compare 

In years or worth with thee, Portland the Fair, 

Climbing thy bluffs, I watch the varying forms 
The moodish ocean takes in calms and storms, 
Mark sea-gulls on the Lawrence rocks alight, 
Or for the Julia Percy spread their flight. 
Then gazing round with a discerning eye, 
Henty's majestic mansion I descry. 
Not far from which, embowered in rural state, 
Stands that of Blair, our first Chief Magistrate, 
Who poised the scales of justice well and long. 
And round whose name unfading praises throng. 
Inclining westward, and in rear of these, 
Mid fruits and flowers and ever- verdant trees, 



PORTLAND BAY. i 

Must's bouse appears, august without pretence, 
Cliaste model of a merchant's residence. 
Still further west, a cozy, snug retreat, 
The Harbour Master's, Captain Fawthrop's, seat, 
With the lagoon in front of the domain, 
Presents an aspect picturesque though plain. 
And to the Captain, and his gallant crew, 
Let there be paid by all the honor due. 
For many noble deeds they have achieved. 
And oft the wrecked and perishing relieved ; 
But of their acts securing them renown 
Th' Adraella rescue is the pride and crown. 

Now passing northward, on a lovely rise, 
Finn's stately habitation meets our eyes, 
With varied scenery a rich display, 
And views which overlook the town and bay. 
North-eastward bending till we near again 
The margin of the ever-murmuring main, 
Fitzgerald's mansion and McLeod's we meet. 
Each a capacious charming country seat, 
Fit home for lovers of luxurious ease, 
Or those whom intellectual labors j)lease. 

Sauntering along, with thoughtful step while slow, 
Passing the Cemetery as we go. 
And musing on the changing scenes which wait 
On all the subjects of this mortal state, 
We Whaler's Bluff and the Asylum reach, 
And thence descending rove about the beach, 
For specimens of shells and seaweed look. 
Or stroll the jetties with a friend or book ; 



8 PORTLAND BAY. 

Then the Botanic Garden wander o'er, 
Inspect the plants and scent each od'rous flower, 
Their orders trace, and from what countries brought, 
And store the mind with pabulum for thought. 

Next on the Lighthouse -hill we take our stand, 
From which the prospect over sea and land. 
The town, green fields, and heaven's and ocean's blue, 
Is such as angels might descend to view, 
And ravished as its beauties they survey, 
Prolong their visit and for ever stay. 

Fair, charming Portland, while we thus behold 
What now thou art. Fancy grows warm and bpld, 
And gazing through the mist of coming time 
Anticipates thee in thy ripened prime. 
When from this bluff's deep base, with ample bend, 
Thy finished breakwater shall broad extend, 
A thousand vessels in thy waters ride, 
Secure from raging wind and threat' ning tide. 
From which all nations' flags shall be unfurled. 
Pledges of prosperous commerce with the world. 
Thy tramway too no longer shall remain 
A useless eyesore and a public stain, 
Pungent memorial of too much trust 
In schemes unripe and governments unjust, 
But into a substantial railway made. 
Along its lengthened lines shall be conveyed 
The produce of the district far and wide, 
Wool, corn, and CQ|tl, means of its wealth and pride, 
While in return, to meet increasing need, 
Constant supplies of merchandise proceed. 



POBTLANB BAY. 9 

In prospect too I see the forest land, 
Where trees in hundreds to the acre stand, 
Fenced, cleared, and cultured; green fields, waving 

corn, 
Orchards and vineyards the glad scene adorn ; 
Where kangaroos and wallabies held sway, 
The horse and cow and sheep unchallenged stray ; 
And with the clam'rous magpie's boisterous bawl, 
The laughing-jackass's mirth-prompting call. 
The saucy parrot's chatter, the hoarse caw 
Of lonely crows, prowling with rav'nous maw. 
And tedious whistle of the wattle-bird, 
The throstle, lark, and blackbird may be heard 
Mingling their luscious music. Snakes, the dread 
Of creatures brute and human, are all fled, 
And with unfalt'ring step you now may take 
Your course o'er hill and dale, through bower or brake ; 
No cause of fear can anywhere be found. 
For safety, peace, and plenty reign around. 

Ye rates, who rule the destinies of earth. 
And have to me allotted, from my birth. 
Labor and care of muscle and of brain. 
Not wholly unrepaid, propitious deign. 
Since I have reached the sultry noon of life. 
To grant me timely rest from toil and strife. 
And with sufficient store to set me free 
From servile labor and anxiety, 
A calm retreat in which to find repose. 
And wait, and welcome, and enjoy its close. 

In youth, when at the early dawn I stole. 



10 PORTLAND BAY. 

Hours due to sleep, and took my rural stroll, 
MyBloomfield, White, or TlK-msonin my hand, 
Or Tasso's tale of Knights in Holy Land, 
And sought the alcove of aneighb'ring squire, 
To join in matin with the feathered choir, 
And watch the rabbits skip, the lambkins play, 
And vaulting squirrels leap from spray to spray, 
My visions, Portland, were of land and sea 
Wedded into a seaport like to thee, 
And made riy home ; and I i.m well content 
Here my fond vision find accomplishment. 

I nought of life, not e'en its narrowing end. 
In languid sickly indolence would spend. 
Sloth is a vicious and deceitful guest, 
A Judas really, Ihough John professed. 
'Frm. idle ease true pleasure none can press. 
Congenial employ is hap^ iness. 
With books and friends, but lew, and chosen well, 
I would familiar be, and while the spell 
Of book-love fills and animates my mind. 
Say some sage word to Portland, perhaps mankind. 

And when to Double Corner I remove. 
Without an ostentatious show of love, 
I would respected and regretted die. 
And unmolested and secluded lie. 



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